Star Trek The Next Generation/Doctor Who: Assimilation2 #6 Review

The Borg and the Federation strike an uneasy deal, but it actually seems to be working out well in the newest issue of IDW’s Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who crossover!

Star Trek TNG/Doctor Who: Assimilation² #6

The Doctor, Amy, Rory, Captain Picard, Riker, Data, and Worf all beam down to the agreed upon meeting place for a discussion with the Borg on how to stop the Cybermen from taking over everything.  The Borg make their good intentions known as the one designated “The Conduit” is stripped of all the pieces that could potentially assimilate members of the Enterprise crew.  However, before they beam back aboard the Enterprise, Riker realizes the Conduit is the former captain of the Potemkin.  He explains the Borg felt it better to approach them with an emissary that would be more recognizable to the humans.  When they all get back to the Enterprise they, begin discussing strategy.  The Doctor knows that the weakness of the Cybermen is gold, but in order for them to have enough gold to do what they need, they have to return to Naia VII to ask the natives to part with much of their peoples’ currency.  The Doctor eventually is able to convince them to let the Federation take enough.  However, there is one last piece of the puzzle that must be obtained before they can attack the Cybermen head on and that requires the Doctor, Rory, and Amy to travel back to the Battle of Wolf 359.

This has been a fantastic melding of the two most popular science fiction properties in the world.  There have been so many opportunities for the personalities of both worlds to shine through.  I’ve particularly loved how Scott and David Tipton have written the Doctor.  In the years since his return to the BBC, and the world at large, it’s sometimes easy to forget how much finesse the Doctor really has in particularly sticky situations.  It’s a trait of his that was a constant runner through the original series’ run from 1963 all the way to 1989.  He’s got a real distaste for militarism and it’s showing here as much as Captain Picard is that military stalwart like the older viewers have seen in Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart.  Picard’s answer to this issue is to face the threat with might and strategy.  The Doctor uses his ability to talk his way in and out of situations.  This is most definitely seen in this issue when he’s talking to the inhabitants of Naia VII.  Picard simply asks for the gold while the Doctor reads their personalities and plays upon the ability to hold leverage over the Federation.  It’s a particularly well written scene with the Doctor’s lines written so closely and so well to his character.

Again, J.K. Woodward’s art shines in this issue.  His painted style of art captures each character perfectly and gives the book a real feeling.  In other words, the world he’s created in this series has a lived in look to it.  I’ve said before that it actually has the look of a television program.  It’s as if we’re spending a Saturday evening in front of those old tube televisions watching this play out.  It only adds to the nostalgia of seeing these two franchises come together.

Tags: Doctor Who IDW Slider Star Trek Star Trek Comics Star Trek The Next Generation Star Trek/Doctor Who: Assimilation2